Art Director

Job Description

Random House Children's Books is seeking to hire an Art Director to join our dedicated and fast-paced art department. The position entails overseeing and designing board books, preschool books, and picture books for the Crown Books for Young Readers, Little Golden Books imprints and Sesame Street publishing program. This role will report to the Executive Art Director.

Titles from Crown BFYR include the forthcoming original board books Brown Baby Parade: Love is All Around by Nikki Shannon Smith; and Happy Chinese New Year! by Jannie Ho; picture books Star of the Party by Jan Carr, illustrated by Juana Medina, I am the Shark by Joan Holub, illustrated by Laurie Keller; and the forthcoming Standing in the Need of Prayer by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Frank Morrison. Little Golden Books were first published in 1942 and include the classics The Poky Little Puppy, Tootle, Scuffy the Tugboat, and The Shy Little Kitten as well as current bestsellers in the biography series on Betty White, Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Frida Kahlo, and Dolly Parton. Sesame Street titles include the popular classics The Monster at the End of This Book; P Is for Potty; and We're Different, We're the Same. New initiatives in publishing are in development.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:
• Work collaboratively with publisher to develop projects and the publishing program overall and support the imprint's objectives.
• Oversee all phases of book design for approximately 20–25 titles per season (3 seasons per year) while managing an Assistant Art Director and maintaining their own list of projects.
• Research and pitch new artists, bring appropriate samples and/or materials to art/editorial meetings.
• Make offers and negotiate terms for illustration contracts while staying within budget range.
• Work closely with illustrators from initial sketch development, revisions, and final art for covers and interiors of own projects.
• Responsible for the effective, high-quality design of titles from concept to final art using creativity, resourcefulness, and understanding of goals.
• Prepare jacket and interior mechanicals for routing, approvals, and release to production per printing standards, with attention to detail, and in a timely manner to maintain schedules and meet deadlines.
• Create digital sales material for own projects.
• Communicate in an effective, professional, and courteous manner with supervisor, team, other departments, and outside agencies.
• Attend and participate in production meetings, cover meetings, team meetings, and meetings with supervisor and editors for specific projects.
• Perform other related projects or duties as assigned or required.

Essential Qualifications/Requirements:
• 7–10 years in a children's book design publishing position with an emphasis on highly illustrated titles, or equivalent exposure to the publishing process.
• Strong Mac computer skills and technical knowledge, including a mastery of current InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator programs.
• Fine Art/Graphic Design program experience.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, quality, and process, ability to prioritize and multi-task, and manage time efficiently.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Hardworking, self-starting, collaborative, and able to work independently.
• Genuine passion for children's books, illustration, and typography.
• Knowledge of MS office programs.
• Knowledge of children's bestsellers, trends, and illustrators, with an emphasis on young, illustrated books.
• Particular understanding of the preschool market a plus.
***Please note the job may require some commuting into NYC, for proofing purposes.

Full-time employees are eligible for our comprehensive benefits program. Our range of benefits include, but are not limited to, Medical/Prescription drug insurance, Dental, Vision, Health Care/Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account, Health Savings Account, Pre-Tax and Roth 401(k), Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance, Life/AD&D Insurance, Commuter Benefits, Student Loan Repayment Program, Educational Assistance & generous paid time off.

Jobcode: Reference SBJ-rbe01x-3-17-186-218-42 in your application.